Just months before Alexander H Cohen died at the age of 79, Variety identified him in its millennium issue as one of the 10 most important producers of the 20th Century. Having worked in show business nearly six decades, Cohen produced 101 plays and musicals on Broadway and in London's West End. Among them were some of the most beloved shows--and some of the biggest flops--in theater history.

Just months before Alexander H Cohen died at the age of 79, Variety identified him in its millennium issue as one of the 10 most important producers of the 20th Century. Having worked in show business nearly six decades, Cohen produced 101 plays and musicals on Broadway and in London's West End. Among them were some of the most beloved shows--and some of the biggest flops--in theater history.

CAST: (feature film)

Served as associate producer on "Angel Street"; first success on Broadway and basis of the 1944 film "Gaslight", starring Ingrid Bergman and Charles Boyer

1960:

Produced popular show "An Evening with Mike Nichols and Elaine May" on Broadway

1960:

Supervised building of the O'Keefe Center, a 3,100-seat theater, for O'Keefe Brewing Co. of Toronto; booked and managed it for its first three years starting with Richard Burton and Julie Andrews in "Camelot"

1962:

Brought Peter Cook and Dudley Moore to Broadway in "Beyond the Fringe"

1963:

Backed London stage production of Terence Rattigan's "Man and Boy"

1964:

Was the first--and last--producer to attempt to import a musical comedy from Italy to Broadway complete with subtitles

1964:

Financed legendary modern dress Broadway stage production of "Hamlet", starring Richard Burton under the direction of John Gielgud

1966:

Backed Harold Pinter's drama, "The Homecoming" in NYC; won 1967 Tony for Best Play

1967:

Executive produced first of 20 Tony Awards ceremony telecasts; wife Hildy Parks served as writer-producer

1969:

Produced Arthur Miller's "The Price" in London's West End

1969:

Backed Neil Simon's "Plaza Suite" in London's West End

1977:

Financed the disastrous revival of Olsen and Johnson's "Hellzapoppin'", starring Jerry Lewis; show closed before it made it to Broadway, costing a reported $2 million

1978:

Executive produced the annual telecast of the Emmy Awards

1979:

Financed New York stage production of Richard Rodgers' last musical, "I Remember Mama"

1982:

Produced the first "Night of 100 Stars" (ABC), a star-studded benefit for the Actor's Fund; won Emmy

1983:

Placed inserts in <i>Playbill</i>s at "La Tragedie de Carmen" asking for money to help finance "Play Memory"; first time money had ever been raised for a show this way; received a special Tony in 1984

1985:

Played a producer in the Woody Allen movie, "The Purple Rose of Cairo"

1985:

Produced TV's second "Night of 100 Stars" (ABC)

1985:

Resigned from the League of American Theatres and Producers

1987:

Had falling out with the American Theatre Wing which ended association with the Tony Awards telecast